About Global Beam Technologies

GBT (Global Beam Technologies) was created by the merger of Steigerwald Strahltechnik GmbH with PTR Strahltechnik GmbH, both pioneers in the area of electron beam technology. More than 50 years ago, Dr. Steigerwald pioneered the industrial application of electron beam technology. Today, the GBT Group uses this experience as a basis for solving complex joining problems in almost all sectors of metal processing. Using EB technology, it is possible to process complex work pieces for which other fusion welding processes would be poorly suited or indeed unsuitable, or economically weld together components which could otherwise only be manufactured from one piece at great expense. The advantages of the process are the low heat input, high welding speed and the possibility of joining combinations of materials.
The scope of supply includes production machinery for mass produced components, universal machines as chamber-type with door systems and automated lines/cells for mass production. Recently non-vac machines were introduced, which reduce the complexity compared to systems with vacuum chambers and significantly lower costs. In contrast to vacuum EB welding, with atmospheric EB welding the component is in the free atmosphere instead of a vacuum chamber. By this means, all time required for evacuation is eliminated and it is also possible to weld bulky components.
As well as for welding, EB technology is used for hardening, boring and remelting. The industry sectors supplied are predominantly, car manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as the aerospace industry, including such reference customers as Lufthansa, EADS, MTU, Daimler Chrysler, Volkswagen and Rolls Royce.

Product portfolio

EB chamber machinery of up to 60 kW, EB production machinery of up to 30 kW, EB non-vac systems